Chiropractic Care May Help Relieve Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is not just for typists anymore; as we spend more and more time on our phones, tablets, and laptops, CTS is actually on the rise. The syndrome is the result of nerve pressure on the wrist, through the literal carpal tunnel. The pressure causes pain and numbness of the thumb and fingers, often becoming worse during the night. While CTS can be caused by predisposing factors such as diabetes or obesity, it is often cause by overuse of the hands and fingers both in heavy manual labor and repetitive movements like typing.
Many people treat CTS with medication, splinting or invasive surgery, allowing the release of the transverse nerve. New research suggests that chiropractic care may also be an effective and natural alternative to the traditional treatment methods. A case study was conducted involving a 47 year-old woman who was diagnosed with CTS after years of doing data entry via computer for eight-hour work shifts. The woman was given a treatment plan involving exercises, chiropractic adjustments, and soft-tissue therapies for three months. During that time, the woman’s pain levels reduced significantly along with numbness. Her range of motion also improved within her affected areas.
The authors of the study concluded that despite the fact that the woman will be permanently impaired, she still received major relief from many of her symptoms after engaging in chiropractic care. This may encourage others with CTS to seek out chiropractic adjustments, which can relieve the compression of nerves and relax the muscles. Based on this and other research, people with other hand issues such as tendonitis may be able to utilize chiropractic care as an option in their treatment.
For the many people that develop CTS in their lives, chiropractic is shown to be an effective treatment option. It is important to understand what caused the problem before starting any treatment regiment, since CTS can be caused by many different things. Some people with pre-existing illness may find other treatments to be more safe and effective, or they may find that chiropractic is the perfect answer. Regardless, anyone suffering from hand and ankle pain or tingling should speak with their doctor immediately to determine a diagnosis and thus an appropriate plan of action.